Monthly Archives: <span>August 2017</span>

Oklahoma Quakes Continue Despite Reduction in Oil, Gas Wastewater Injections

The disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production by injecting it deep into the ground has been linked to a dramatic increase in earthquake activity in Oklahoma since 2009. Injection rates have declined recently because of regulatory actions and …

New National Disaster Resilience Program Leader Brings Experience

John Zakian is no stranger to the aftermath of natural disasters. Tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires – he’s seen it all. The manager of Minot’s National Disaster Resilience Program brings a familiarity with disaster recovery to a North Dakota community seeking …

Auto Insurers Should Brace for Autonomous Car Changes

Changes in ownership, coverages and the way claims are evaluated are just a few of the ways self-driving cars will impact the auto insurance industry, according Jared Smollik, actuarial director of personal auto product development for Verisk Insurance Solutions. Though …

Commentary: Blockchains Eye Catastrophe Business

Financial markets are showing some signs of volatility these days after exceptionally low indicators since the start of the 2017. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, or VIX, is at its highest level this year. The VVIX Index, which …

Pot Grow Generator Linked to Northern California Wildfire

A generator on a marijuana farm is to blame for a fire last year that destroyed a dozen homes south of San Francisco, investigators said Thursday. It’s the latest in a string of fires at marijuana growing sites in the …

Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Over Deadly Maine Halloween Hayride

The family of a teenager who died in a hayride crash has settled a lawsuit against the farm owner who operated the Halloween attraction in 2014, the family lawyer said Wednesday. Money from the settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit …

Tracy Morgan Settles Crash Suit With Wal-Mart, Liberty Mutual

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has settled a lawsuit by two insurers that sought to avoid covering its multimillion-dollar payout to comedian Tracy Morgan for injuries he suffered in a 2014 crash involving one of the retailer’s trucks. U.S. District Judge Freda …

Car Makers Worry Increasing Automation Makes for Bad Driving

If your car can hit the brakes in an emergency and check your blind spots, will that make you a worse driver? Increasingly, automakers are worrying it may. Driver-assist technology that keeps cars in their lanes, maintains a safe distance …

Massachusetts Plans Crackdown on Marijuana-Impaired Drivers

Massachusetts officials promised a crackdown Thursday on marijuana-impaired driving as the state prepared for full implementation of the voter-approved law legalizing adult use of recreational pot. State police said they were increasing the number of officers with special training in …

More Homes Could Be Condemned Due to Growing Florida Sinkhole

Ralph Terry, a 73-year-old retiree who lives in a sleepy neighborhood in Florida’s suburbs, seems particularly sanguine about living just a few doors down from a gaping, literal, void in the earth. “I don’t see no cracks in my blocks …